Debugging Installer Errors

Summary: Instructions for generating a log file from a .MSI installer (such as Rhino 4.0, 5.0, Flamingo 2.0, Brazil 2.0)

When I try to install the product, I get an installer error and the install does not complete.

Follow the procedure below to generate a text file which is a log of the actions that happen during the install, and then email the text file to McNeel Technical Support tech@mcneel.com

• Download this zip file http://s3.amazonaws.com/mcneel/misc/DebugInstaller.zip
• Unzip the file inside named “DebugInstaller.exe” to your desktop.
• Find the MSI installer, the location is different for different products:

Rhinoceros 4.0 CD – Name is “Rhino4_Setup.msi” in the Rhinoceros folder on the CD

  Rhinoceros 4.0 Evaluation -- Unzip the .EXE installer (like rh40eval_en_yyyymmdd.exe) and find the file "RHINO4_EVALUATION_EN.MSI"
  Rhinoceros 5.0 WIP/Beta -- Name is "rh50beta_x86_en_yyyymmdd_hhmm.msi"
  Flamingo 2.0 CD -- Name is "Flamingo2_Setup_English.msi" in the Flamingo folder on the CD
  Flamingo 2.0 Evaluation -- Unzip the .EXE installer (like fl20eval_en_yyyymmdd.exe) and find the file "FL20_.MSI"
  Brazil 2.0 CD -- Name is "Setup Brazil.msi" in the Brazil folder on the CD
  Brazil 2.0 Evaluation -- Unzip the .EXE installer (like brazil_evaluation_yyyymmdd.exe) and find the file "BRAZIL_2.0_ENGLISH.MSI"

• Run “DebugInstaller.exe” by double-clicking on it on the desktop
• Drag the installer .MSI file onto the window with title “McNeel Install Debugger”
• The install process will start, proceed forward until the error is encountered and continue until the installer stops.
• On your desktop find the new .TXT file named the same as the .MSI installer file but with the extension .TXT (example: Rhino4_Setup.txt) The icon looks like a spiral-bound notepad; the file extension may not show.
• Email that .TXT file to McNeel Technical Support at tech@mcneel.com